Coin controlled switch



Jal) l, 1935. l UPP 1,986,478

COIN CONWRnim-:w SWITCH y Filed Oei.A 193? 2 Sheets--Sheet l Jan. 1 1935e E. L. UPP 1,986,478

COIN CONTROLLED SWITCH Filed Oct. l5, 1932 $2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E11/rz for. 6fm/er ZEP/4 iwfw@ Patented Jan. 1,1935

UNITED STATES COIN CONTROLLED SWITCH Elmer L. Lipp, Los Angeles, Calif., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Refining, Inc., Reno, Nev., a corporation of Nevada Application October i5,

16 Claims.

This invention pertains to a coin controlled switch, and more particularly to a switch which is set through the use of a coin and which automatically operates to open the switch at the expiration of a predetermined time interval.

An object of this invention is to provide a coin controlled switch including a timing device to be used on radios and the like whereby a coin may be inserted, the switch manually closed, and the timing mechanism set in operation to open the switch automatically at the conclusion of a predetermined time interval.

An object of this invention is to provide a coin controlled switch in which the coin is not used to make a contact or in which the coin is not used as a medium for the operation of the switch, the operation of the switch being controlled manually by the operator.

An object of this invention is to provide a coin controlled switch wherein the switch is closed by the coin carrier and the coin carrier is lockedin position, the switch is opened independently of the coin carrier and. the coin carrier then returned to coin receiving position, thus preventing holding of the switch closed at the expiration of the timing interval by manual manipulation of the coin carrier.

An object of this invention is to provide a coin controlled switch embodying the novel features of employing'a coin carrier adapted to receive a coin of the denomination for which it is intended and to use that coin to unlock locking means associated with the coin carrier that the carrier may be actuated to close the switch and set the timing mechanism in operation, to pass the coin therethrough at the time that the switch is closed and to maintain the switch closed and the coin carrier in a locked position until the switch is opened by the timing mechanism, and the timingnmechanism disconnected and made inoperative until the switch is again closed.

An object of this invention is to provide a coin controlled switch of simple, sturdy and durable construction, simplicity of operation, foolproof and accurate'in operation, and which. may be adapted for use with any device which it is desired to control by a coin controlled switch having a time element operation.

. The invention includes the parts and combination of parts more particularly hereinafter described and claimed.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawings, the subjoined detail description and the appended claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention in a form I at present deem preferable.

Figure 1 is a sectional side View of the device taken' on lines 1--1 Fig. 3.

1932, Serial No. 637,861

Fig. 2 is a side view of the device assembled in the casing, with a part of the casing broken away to disclose the fastening means.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of `the device disclosing the several parts in normal unlocked position, ready to receive a coin.

Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 3 disclosing the same parts shown in Fig. 3 in operated position.

Fig. 5 is a front View of the case disclosed in Fig. 2, with a part of the case broken away to disclose the coin receiving box.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmental sectional view of the latch and guide for the switch operating element, taken on lines 6-6 Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a rear elevation of the device.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the electric wiring circuit.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmental view of the coin carrier in coin receiving position.

Fig. 10 is a similar view of the coin carrier in partially rotated position disclosing the actuation of the lock by 'the coin.

Fig. 11 is a similar view disclosing the lock in engaged position against the coin carrier.

Fig. 12 is a fragmental side view taken on lines 12-12 Fig. 1l.

Fig. 13 is a front elevation of the coin carrier and the locks, the coin carrier in coin discharging position and the reverse lock engaged.

Fig. la is a sectional view of the coin carrier and the coin slot taken on lines 14-14 Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, Figs. 2 and 5 disclose a case or housing 20, comprising a shell 21 forming a box adapted to enclose the device, and having a bottom 22 and four walls 23 eX- tending to receive a cover 24 which is formed with the front section 25 and the apron 26 adapted to be slipped over the shell 21.

. A reinforcing member 27 is formed around the shell 21, one edge flush with the bottom 22 and extending therefrom toward the cover 24 a sufficient distance to meet the apron 26 and form a close joint therewith.

The supporting plate 28 of the switching device is adapted to be secured within the case by means of the posts 29 against which it rests and to which it is secured by means of the screws 30. The posts 29 are secured to the bottom 22 by welding or other convenient means.

'I'he cover 24 is secured in place by means of the post 31 secured to the bottom 22 which is adapted to receive a key lock 32 which is inserted through an opening in the cover provided for that purpose and fastens into the post 31.

It is preferred that the joints of the walls 23, the apron 26, be welded, andthe reinforcing member 2'/ 'be welded to the walls 23.

By reference to Figs. 1, 3 and 4 it will be seen that the device consists of the recited supporting plate 28, which has secured to it at the upper' left hand corner the coin guide 33 by means of the screws 34. The coinguide 33 has a projecting cylindrical portion 35 which is adapted to project ush with the outer surface of the cover 24 and is provided for the reception of coins.

The coin guide 33 has a slotted opening 36 at the base of the cylindrical portion 35 through which a coin may pass to the coin carrier 37 which has a raised guide member 38 and a guide pin 39 adapted to receive therebetween the coin and to support it during the travel of the coin carrier as disclosed in Figs. 9, 10 and 13.4

The coin carrier 39 comprises the main carrier plate 40 which has a stub shaft 41 extending through plate 28 forming a revolving support for the carrier plate 4G, and is secured in position by means of the screw 42.

The carrier plate 40 has the recited guide member` 38 at one side, the recited guide pin 39 spaced therefrom, and a spacing member 43 preferably'formed from a cutout part of the metal and turned up at right angles therefrom.

The curved slot 44 is provided for the purpose of permitting the rotary travel of the carrier plate 40; the limits of the travel are xed by the ends 45 and 46 of the slot 44 which are contacted by the pin 47 secured in the plate 28. The pin 47 also functions as a means to knock or eject the coin out of the carrier when the rotation of the carrier is completed.

The shaft 41 and the screw 42 are ilush with the upper surface of the carrier plate 40 thus providing an unobstructed 4passageway 48 through which coins smaller than are adapted to operate the device may pass directly through the device.

The coin carrier 37 includes an outer cover plate 49 which is secured to the carrier plate 40 by means of the screws 50 which are screwed into the threaded openings 51 in the carrier 40; the cover plate 40 rests upon the recited spacing member 43 and the guide member 38 which space it from the carrier plate 40 a sumcient distance to allow free passage of a coin therebetween.

The cover plate 49 is further provided with a hub 52 having an extending shaft 53 which projects through the cover 24 and is adapted to have secured thereon a knob 54 providing means for manual operation of the carrier 37.

The hub 52 has secured to one side of it a pin 55 for the support of one end of a spring 56, the other end of the spring being secured to a convenient projection from the plate 28. The spring 56 provides the tension 'required when the carrier 37 is rotated to return it to its original position when released.

A spring lock 57 pivoted on a screw 58 in plate 28 and tensioned by spring y59 held by pin 60 normally resides in the path of the recited guide member 38 on the carrier plate 40 for the purpose of preventing rotation of the coin carrier 37 when there is no coin therein and engages the guide member 38 as shown in Fig. 11.

The spring lock 57 is provided with the rounded end 61 that it may readily be displaced by a coin 130 of the proper size, and is of suflicient thickness that the face of the end 61 may ride on the outer edge 62 of the carrier plate 40 which is curved inwardly at this point and extend across the passage 63 formed therein that it will be contacted by the coin 130 being rotated in the carrier 37.

Referring to Figs. 9, v10 and- 13 a coin 130 iS shown in the area between the guide member 38 and the guide pin 39 and positioned by them to contact the spring lock 57 and swing it out of the path of the guide member 38 to permit the carrier 37 to be rotated.

Referring to the same figures discloses the disposition of the locking member 64 which is pivoted on the screw 65 in the plate 28, and which normally rests against the edge 62 of the carrier plate 40 and the outer edge of the guide member 38. The end 66 is adapted to drop oi the'edge of the guide member 38 when the carrier 37 is rotated and rests against the edge 62 which is curved inwardly at this point for that purpose and provides for the end 66 of the locking member 64 to come to rest against the end 67 of the guide member 38 and securely lock the carrier 37 against rotation in a reverse direction.

The locking member 64 is connected to the switching mechanism for release by the trip rod 68 which has one end 69 bent and passed through an opening in the locking member 69 and secured therein by such means as the pin 70.

The trip rod 68 is tensioned by spring 71, see Fig. 7, and extends downwardly and is formed with a hook end 72 which is adapted to slide in an opening 73 in the plate 28. The spring 71 is further supported by means of the pin 74 on plate 28, and functions to provide tension for the locking member 64 to operate against the carrier plate 40 to locking position against the guide member 38.

The switch operating mechanism comprises the switch lever 75 centrally pivoted on the pin shaft 76 secured to plate 28, and the U-shaped trip member 77 pivotally supported by the pin 78 secured to one end of the switch lever 75, and tensioned by the spring 79 one end of which is secured to a lug 80 formed in the trip member 77 substantially above and to one side of the pivot 78 thus providing leverage to urge the trip 77 in one direction; the other end of the spring 79 is secured to a pin 81 on the plate 28.

The upper bar of the U-shaped trip 77 forms the contacting member 82 which extends to be contacted by the boss 83 on the carrier plate 40 for setting purposes.

A spring latch 84 is supported by the support 85 secured to the plate 28 on the rear side and the latch 84 is tensioned by spring 86 supported by the pin 87 in the same support 85. 'Ihe latch 84 extends through an opening 88 in plate 28 as disclosed in Fig. 6, and is adapted to engage and support the contacting member 82 of the trip 77 when the trip is set.

A guide plate 89 is secured to plate 28 and is provided with a slot 90 in which the recited contacting member 82 travels and which retains it in position to be engaged by the boss r83-and to engage the latch 84.

The switch 91 is located directly below the switch lever 75 and comprises two contact niembers 92 and 93, which are supported by posts 94 and 95 fastened by screws 96 and 97 in an insulating member 98 secured to the plate 28 by screws 99.

An insulated contact roller 100 is secured to one end of the switch lever 75 by means of the pin 101 for the purpose of contacting the switch 91.

The timing means comprises an electric motor 102 of the type used in electric clocks, and is secured to the back of the plate 28 by the screws- 103. A shaft 104 connects the motor 102, by extending through the plate 28, to the gearing 105, and has secured on the extended end a small gear 106 which is adapted to mesh with and drive a second small gear 107 which is mounted on a stub shaft 108 supported by the adjustable arm 109 fulcrumed on the main gear shaft 110.

A third smaller gear 111 is secured to the gear 107 of shaft 108 and meshes with and drives the main gear 112 supported by the recited shaft 110. Thus is provided a gear reduction to meet the requirements of this work.

The gears .1.07 and 111 'are removably mounted on shaft 108 that they may be interchanged with other sized gears to accommodate the apparatus to either 50 or 60 cycle electricity. The adiustable arm 109 is provided for the purpose of properly meshing the different sized gears and a screw 113 is provided for securing the arm 109 in adjusted position, the arm 109 being provided with the slotted opening 114 for the screw 113 to pass through and thus provide means to adjust the arm.

The main gear 112 is provided on its race with the pin 115 which rotates with the gear and is adapted to contact the trip 77 when it is set by means of the step 116 provided for that purpose and rock the trip 77 on its pivot 79 that the contacting member A82 will move to one side of and be disengaged from the latch 8d. Upon the device being again set and the motor 192 energized the pin 115 again rotates to again contact the step 116.

The plate 28 is provided at the center with the circular opening 117 to permit the passage therethrough of the lock 32. It is also provided with the screw holes 118 through which the screws 39 pass to secure the plate to the posts 29. There is a portion of the plate cut away to form the notch 119 which nts over the coin bon 120, see Fig. 5. The coin box 120 is provided to receive the coins passed through the coin carrier 37, and is loosely supported by the sheli 21 within the case 20.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the electric circuit used consists of the lead wires 121 and 122 forming the supply source; of these wire 122 passes to the switch 91 and connects at screw 97 and thence to switch contact 93, and when the switch is closed connects through the opposite contact 92, and by means of connecting screw 96 connects to wire 123 which in turn is connected to one terminal of the motor 102; the connecting screw 96 further connects to wire 124 which may for example be connected to a radio 125.

Lead wire 121 is connected to a terminal 126 where one wire 127 is connected to the other terminal of the motor 102, and a second wire 128 is connected to the other side of a. radio 125. Thus it will be seen that when the switch 91 is open the circuit to both the radio 125 and the timing motor 102 is open, and when the switch 91 is closed the recited circuit is connected, thus the timing motor ,102 operates only when the circuit is closed.

In operation with the several parts in the normal rest or unset position disclosed in Fig. 3, with the switch 91 open, a coin 130 is inserted in the coin guide 33 and it drops into the coin carrier 37. The coin carrier 37 is manually rotated anticlockwise vby means of the knob 54 whereupon the coin 130 is carried down to contact the lock 57 which it moves out of the path of the guide member 38 thus allowing the coin carrier 37 to be rotated the full travel allowed by the guide slot 44.

This rotation of the coin carrier 37 brings the boss 83 in contact with the contacting member 82 of the trip member 77 and raises the trip member 77 above the latch 84 where it is engaged and held by the latch 84. At this point in the rotation ci' coin carrier 37 the lock 64 engages the point 67 of the guide member 33 on the coin carrier 37 and locks the coin carrier 37 against reverse rotation until lock 64 is released.

The raising of trip 77 rocks the switch lever 75 bringing the roller 100 into contact with. the upper switch contact 92 and pressing it against the lower contact 93 thus closing the switch 91.

The closing of the switch 91 energizes the timing motor 102 and the operation of the motor rotates the gearing 105. The gear reduction shown produces one revolution of gear 112 in one hour, at which time the pin 115 on gear 112 will have contacted the step 11d on trip 77 and roclred it on the pivot 78 to withdraw the contacting member92 from contact with the latch 8e, thus allowing the trip 77 and the connected end of switch lever 75 to drop under tension of the spring 79.

lThe consequent rocking of the switch lever 75y raises the roller 100 and opens the switch 91 and consequently the wired electric circuit.

The dropping of trip 77 contacts the hooked end 72 or" the trip rod 68 and rocks lock 64 out of the path of guide member 38 permitting the reverse rotation of the coin carrier 37 under the tension of spring 56 to return the coin carrier 37 to its original position.

The device is nowin position to have another 1 coin'inserted and the operation repeated.

Certain modi'iications may be apparent to one versed in the art and such modifications may well be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as hereinafter described or hereinafter defined in the appended claims.

ll claim:

l. A coin controlled switch comprising a normally locked coin carrier, means in said carrier adapted to position an inserted coin to unlock Said carrier to permit rotation thereof, a lock adapted to loclr said carried in rotated position, a trip member adapted to be set by rotation of said carrier, and timing means to release said trip to actuate said lock to release said carrier to permit said carrier to return to normal position.

2. A coin controlled switch comprising a normally locked coin carrier, means in said carrier adapted to position an inserted coin to unlock said carrier to permit rotation thereof, a trip member adapted to be set by rotation of said carrier, a switch adapted to be closed by said,

trip, and timing means .adapted to be actuated by the closing of said switch to operate to release said trip after a predetermined interval of time to open said switch and stop the operation of said timing means.

3. A coin controlled switch comprising a normally locked coin carrier, means in saidcarrier adapted to position an inserted coin to unlock said carrier to permit rotation thereof, means to lock said carrier in a rotated position, a latch, a trip member adapted to be actuated by said carrier when rotated to engage said latch, a switch adapted to be closed by said trip when in latch engaged position, and timing means adapted to be actuated by the closing of said switch to disengage said trip from said latch thereby opening said switch and stopping the operation of said timing means and said trip releasing said locking means for said carrier to permit said carrier to return to normal position.

4. A coin controlled switch device of the character described, including: a coin released member adapted to movement from off to on position; stop means for holding said member in said on position; a switch adapted to be closed in consequence of movement of said member from said oi to said on position; a latch for holding said switch closed when it has been moved to closed position; an electric circuit closed by the closing4 of said switch; a timing device operative through a timing period in consequence of the closing of said electric circuit; means controlled by said timing device for releasing said latch and opening said switch at the termination of said timing period; and means actuated in consequence of the release of said latch to release said stop means so as to permit return of said member to said oi position.

5. A coin controlled switch device of the character described, including: a coin released member adapted to movement from oi to on position; stop means for holding said member in said on position; a normally open switch; a switch closing part normally resting in inoperative position and adapted to be moved by said member into switch closing position so as to close said switch; a latch for holding said part in said switch closing position; a timing device operative through a timing period in consequence of the closing of said switch; a releasing means controlled by said timing device for releasing said latch and opening said switch at the termination of said timing period; and means operated by said switch closing part in returning to its inoperative position, to release said stop means and permit return of said member to said off position.

6. A coin controlled switch device of the character described, including: a normally open switch; a switch closing part normally resting in inoperative position and being adapted to be moved to switch closing position so as to close said switch; a latch for holding said part in said switch closing position; a coin released member adapted to movement from off to on position, said member moving said part to said switch closing position during the movement thereof toward said on position and being free of connection with said part after engagement of said latch with said part; a timing device operative through a timing period in consequence of the closing of said switch; and a releasing means controlled by said timing device for releasing said latch and opening said switch at the termination of said timing period.

7. A coin controlled switch device of the character described, including: a normally open switch; a switch closing part normally resting in inoperative position and being adapted to be moved to switch closing position so as to close said switch; a latch for holding said part in said switch closing position; a coin released member adapted to movement from oi to on position, said member moving said part to said switch closing position during the movement thereof toward said on position and being free of connection with said part after engagement of said latch with said part; stop means for holding said member in said on position; a timing device operative through a timing period in consequence of the closing of said switch; a releasing means controlled by said timing device for releasing said latch and opening said switch at the termination of said timing period; and means operated by said switch closing part in returning to its inoperative position, to release said stop means and permit return of said member to said oi position.

8. A coin controlled device of the character described, including: a coin released member adapted to movement from ofi to on position; an actuating part normally resting in inoperative position and adapted to be moved by said member to operative position as said member moves to said on position thereof; a latch for holding said actuating part in said operative position; a timing device operative through a timing period in consequence of the moving of said actuating part to its operative position; and releasing means controlled by said timing device for releasing said latch at the termination of said timing period to return said actuating part to its inoperative position independent of said coin released member.

9. A coin controlled device of the character described, including: a coin released member adapted to movement from oiT to on position; an actuating part normally resting in inoperative position and adapted to be moved by said member to operative position as said member moves to said on position thereof; a latch for holding said actuating part in said operative position; an electrically operated timing device operative through a timing period in consequence of the moving of said actuating part to its operative position; and releasing means controlled by said timing device for releasing said latch at the termination of said timing period to return said actuating part to its inoperative position independent of said coin released member.

10. A coin controlled device of the character described, including: a coin released member adapted to movement from off to on position; an actuating part normally resting in inoperative position and adapted to be moved by said member to operative position as said member moves to said on position thereof; stop means for holdi ing said member in said on position; a latch for holding said actuating part in said operative position; a timing device operative through a timing period in consequence of the moving of said actuating part to its operative position; releasing means controlled by said timing device for releasing said latch at the termination of said timing period to return said actuating part to its inoperative position independent of said coin released member; and means operative in consequence of the release of said latch to release said stop means to permit return of said coin released member to said 01T position.

ll. A coin controlled device of the character described, including: a coin released member adapted to movement from off to on position, said member having a driving shoulder; an actuating part having a latch element thereon adapted to be engaged by said shoulder during movement of said member' toward said on position so as to carry said part from inoperative to operative position; a catch engaged by said latch element when said part is in operative position to hold the same in such position; a timing device operative through a timing period in consequence of the movement of said part to said operative position; and means controlled by said timing device for moving said latch element from engagement with said catch and from the path of movement of said shoulder at the termination of said timing period.

12. A coin controlled device of the character described, including: a coin released member adapted to movement from olf to on position, said member having a driving shoulder; an actuating part having a latch element thereon adapted to be engaged by said shoulder during movement of said member toward said on position so as to carry said part from inoperative to operative position; a catch engaged by said latch element when said part is in operative position to hold the same in such position; a timing device operative through a timing period in consequence of the movement of said part to said operative position; and means controlled by said timing device for disengaging said latch element and said catch and moving said latch element from the path of movement of said shoulder at the termination of said timing period.

13. A coin controlled device of the character described, including: a coin released member adapted to movement from off to on position, said member having a driving shoulder; an actuating part having a dog thereon adapted to be engaged by said shoulder during movement of said member toward said on position so as to carry said part from inoperative to operative position; catch means for holding said part in its operative position; a timing device operative through a timing period in consequence of the movement of said part to its operative position; and means controlled by said timing device for releasing said catch means and moving said dog from the path of movement of said shoulder at the termination of said timing period.

14. A coin controlled device of the character described, including: a coin released member adapted to movement from off to on position,

said member having a driving shoulder; a switch having a part adapted to be moved from inoperative to operative position by said shoulder so as to close said switch; and timing means having an element for disengaging said switch at` the end of a predetermined period of time independently of the position or movement of said shoulder.

15. A coin controlled device of the character described, including: a coin released member adapted to movement from off to on position, said member having a driving shoulder; a switch having a part adapted to be moved from inoperative to operative position by said shoulder so as to close said switch; timing means having an element for disengaging said switch at the end of a predetermined period of time independently of the position or movement of said shoulder; latch means for holding said shoulder from return to its original position after it has been moved in a manner to move said part to operative position; and means for releasing said latch means at the end of a predetermined period of time to permit said shoulder to return to its original position.

16. A time limit control of the character described, including: a lever member adapted to be moved from non-controlling to controlling position, said lever member having a dog movably mounted thereon; an operating member adapted to move said dog into operative position in which said lever member will be held in said controlling position; a latch for holding said dog in said operative position; and timing means engaging said dog and moving it from engagement with said latch in a direction away from said operating member.

ELMER L. LIPP. 

